By Mariano Munoz

What is a Quinceañera?Quinceañera is a coming of age ceremony

held on a girl's fifteenth birthday.The Quinceaños is associated with the

Quinceañera "becoming a lady".

As little girls…Little girls always

dream of the day of their Quinceañeras. Just like a girl dreams of the day of her wedding, the Quinceañera is a day with which every girls dreams about.

How it started…The Quince años ceremony

came from French culture during the later part of the 1800s. In Mexico, this period of the century is called Porfiriato. The Mexican president Porfirio Diaz brought this celebration to Mexican culture due to his admiration of French culture.

Quinceañera CelebrationsThe celebration carries

religious significance for Spanish-speaking Roman Catholics. It begins with a religious ceremony in which the Quinceañera affirms her faith. It is customary for the Quinceañera to receive gifts that are religious in nature, such as a cross or medal, a Bible, rosary, or scepter.

After the conclusion of the Roman Catholic religious ceremony, a reception is held either in the Quinceañera's home or in a banquet hall.

The first danceThe reception is

open with the Quinceañera’s first dance. The “chambelan” has the honor to dance with the Quinceañera. This dance is called “Vals”.

The second danceAfter the ‘Vals” with the chambelan, the Quinceañera now dances with her father.

Following these initial presentation dances, the guests join the dance floor as well. Godparents play a significant role in the preparations for the Quinceaños.

The last doll During the celebration, the father of the Quinceañera gives as a present to her daugther her last doll. This means a lot to the Quinceañera because she aknowladges that she has now become a young woman and that it is her last doll.

The dressThe Quinceañera always wears a beautiful dress, making her look as a princess.

The crownThe Quinceañera wears trough the whole celebration a beautiful crown.

The “ramo”Quinceañeras also wear a “ramo” trough the whole celebration. This enhances the Quinceañera’s beauty.

The cakeThe cake of the Quinceañeras is very symbolic. The cake is almost always very big, decorated with flowers.

More about QuinceañerasQuince años celebrated in the United States has become a means of preserving their culture as Latinos become more Americanized. Quince años are, today, a unique feature of Latino culture.

Finally…I would like to talk a little about my sister’s

quinceañera. It was celebrated in Monterrey, Mex. It was a day with which my sister had always dreamed about. 350 people attended the celebration. It started at 8 p.m. and ended at 4 a.m. Every guest was very happy and told my parents that they had a great time. It was a day that neither my sister or my family is going to forget.